Heather Hawk

Contact Information
8272 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039
(831)770-4469
hhawk [at] mlml [dot] calstate [dot] edu

I study the population structure and community ecology of gastropod mollusks, as well as shell structure and the evolution of large body size. My MLML Master’s thesis will examine the importance of genetic information from historical and museum specimens to the conservation of the presently endangered white abalone in California, and it will investigate the role of the porous nature of micro-endolith-bored abalone shell in harboring the RLP (Rickettsiales-Like Prokaryote) agent of Withering Syndrome.

Background

Education

BS, Ecology, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia 2005

Research Experience

NOAA California Sea Grant Trainee, Moss Landing Marine Labs, Moss Landing, August 2007-Present. “Determination of red and white abalone age and growth using the bomb radiocarbon signal and lead dating.” Laboratory technician for principle objectives and individual research project on the application of historical and museum abalone data for the conservation of the endangered white abalone in California.

Research Scientist and Resident Biologist, Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, January 2006-May 2007. “Seasonal and diel distribution and activity patterns of intertidal gastropod mollusks at Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica.” Analyses of the micro-site associations, diel activity cycles, and seasonal abundances of approximately 95 species of gastropod mollusks on a tropical rocky intertidal platform.
Curriculum Vitae